1942-F German 1 Reichspfennig Swastika Coin
This 1942-F 1 Reichspfennig is a well-preserved artifact from the Stuttgart Mint, issued during the height of the German wartime economy. Struck in 100% zinc to replace strategic copper and nickel needed for munitions, this "Kriegsgeld" (war money) features the Reichsadler (Imperial Eagle) clutching a wreathed swastika on the obverse. While the Berlin (A) mint produced over 550 million units this year, the Stuttgart "F" mintage was significantly lower at approximately 90.7 million, making it a scarcer find for mint-mark specialists. Zinc is notoriously reactive; specimens that have avoided "zinc pest"—intergranular corrosion that causes white powder and pitting—command a premium among historical collectors. This piece serves as a tangible record of the logistical shifts within the Third Reich as resources became increasingly scarce. Please see high-resolution photos for detail on the eagle's plumage and to evaluate the stability of the zinc surface.